Big Night at Bethlehem Baptist

When I first started going to Bethlehem Baptist Church 2 1/2 years ago, I was impressed that they had a minister who had been there for 16 years. I had been in several churches where ministers moved on after two or three years and I was excited to find a church whose Pastor had been with for so long. Last June, our pastor announced his resignation. This was a shock to many of us in the congregation. He and his wife were well loved by the congregation and many of the younger people had known them all their lives. But he said God had called him to go elsewhere.

So, the search for a new minister began. We found an interim pastor fairly quickly. Pastor Crewe and his wife have served our church for about 5 months. They are lovely people and have done a good job of helping us to move on from our grief and have kept us from chaos.

Tonight we got to meet our potential new pastor at a meal at the church. Our pulpit committee has spent the last several months reading resumes, listening to sermons, interviewing candiates. They felt like Darren Miller and his family would be a good match for our church. Tonight we got to meet Darren and Catherine and their children Jesse and Katie. We enjoyed a fine meal that only a group of church women can put together. Then Darren told us about himself and his family. He answered our questions with openness and sincerity.

I know it had to be a bit nerve-wracking for him and his family. How many jobs does a whole family go along for the interview? But, he handled it well and shared some funny stories with us about his growing up. Tomorrow, he will preach for us and then we will vote. Another nerve-wracking experience for him and his family to be sure.

I hope God will guide all of us to create the outcome he wants so we can go in the direction he would have us go.